Roy Choi

Tastemaker

Chef/Restaurateur

Los Angeles

Classically trained chef and food truck pioneer Roy Choi is known for his Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine (think short rib tacos and kimchi quesadillas). After graduating from the Culinary Institute of American and stints at renowned restaurants such as Le Bernardin, Choi launched Kogi BBQ, a food truck in the Los Angeles area in 2008. Choi now has several food trucks and three brick-and-mortar restaurants, A-Frame, Chego and Sunny Spot. He published a memoir L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food in November 2013.

I don’t know the new set of food trucks well enough around the country to put that on wax. I support anyone and everyone, especially the true taco trucks on the West Coast, the arepas and tamales ladies in Queens, and the fresh cool young lukes doing their thing on the streets from the Pacific Northwest to L.A., down through Austin and back up through Miami and all up the East Coast. Anyone who takes that deep breath and believes in himself to put good food on the streets is a hero to me.

I used to stay at Hiltons because I worked there for so long and the family rate could not be beat, son! I’ve tried all the cool, chic boutiques but that stuff is paper-thin for me. I’m into good old-fashioned service and warmth when it comes to hotels. Four Seasons is the best if I can afford it. Otherwise it’s Embassy Suites for me — double rooms, breakfast, drinks and smiles. What more do you need?

I just brought the neighborhood to the restaurant. It’s all about letting down your guard, sharing, exploding into each other, and eating with some conviction. Nothing is for show. All our restaurants are about engagement and coming out of your skin and vibing with each other and yourself through food and drink.

It came to me in a dream. Then the dream took me down a road to the heart and soul of the islands and the people, the history, the land. I couldn’t get it out of my mind — it stuck to me and I couldn’t shake it. So, I did everything I could to make it real so others could live in it too.